COLLEGE STATION – A year ago late this month, Johnny Manziel was preparing to watch the Meineke Bowl from the sidelines as a redshirt quarterback at Texas A&M.

Now he’s got LeBron James talking about him on national TV. James, following the Miami Heat’s 110-95 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, was asked by TNT’s Craig Sager about Manziel, the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, sitting courtside for the Thursday night game. Manziel apparently told Sager he’d come specifically to see James play.

“I didn’t get an opportunity to speak to him, I’m kind of upset about that,” James told Sager. “Congratulations on him winning the Heisman, and for him to come see me play is an honor. Hopefully I can see him play some time because he’s a great football player.”

The two athletes met each other following the game in the locker room, considering James posted a picture on his Twitter of the exchange. Meanwhile TNT analyst Steve Kerr during the game questioned how Manziel came by courtside seats – “Those are expensive seats” – and Manziel later responded via Twitter, “Bought myself a little birthday present tonight stop hating.”

In the for what it’s worth department, Manziel’s family is prominent in the oil business in Tyler.

Manziel turned 20 on Dec. 6. The 10-2 Aggies, who face 10-2 Oklahoma on Jan. 4 in the Cotton Bowl, are scheduled to break for Christmas on Saturday. They’ll practice again in College Station following Christmas before gathering in Dallas on Dec. 29.